Space- Role for private sector

United state sends Astronauts to outer space on wings of public-private collaboration by NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, a space tech company. SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactica are some Rocket manufacturing and space technology-based company which explores the promising field of commercial enterprises in outer space. Space extends unexplored opportunities where the advent of private players provide advantages in Innovation, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness.

Indian context

The Indian space programme is not just about civilian applications for remote-sensing, meteorology and communication, as in the early decades. India’s space sector and its requirements have grown enormously in the last decade to include television and broadband services, space science and exploration, space-based navigation and, of course, defence and security applications. Besides the commercial wing of ISRO, the ATRIX provides satellite launching services internationally. Despite the low-cost services , India’s share in global space commerce is mere 2%.

Indian initiative for private sector collaboration

Under Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Finance Minister proposed comprehensive reforms in space sector to ensure greater participation of private sector.
Newly formed ‘New Space India Limited’ (NSIL), an initiative to engage private sector.
ISRO began to work with a few in the private sector such as the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies, contracted to build satellites. Similarly, Bellatrix Aerospace began to work with ISRO on advanced in-space propulsion systems.

However much of this remain pipe dream and industry is giving cold response. We need serious structural changes to encourage private participation in the space sector

Way forward

In India the same agency has undertaken promotion, commercial and regulatory function, which is not healthy. Need an independent regulator in the sector to ensure transparency ,better responsibility and regulation and a level playing field.
Address concerns of private sector on issues such as sharing of intellectual property (IP) of their products,by establishing a robust IP regime.
Rather than viewing private companies as manufacturering and service partners, they should be involved in serious business of product development.
A certain amount of democratisation of space technology with the participation of the private sector.
Most of all implementation of these initiatives, not the lip service, is most important.

The Indian space programme has several advantages, the most important being cost: the ability to provide reliable launches in a cost-effective manner is a big advantage. India can gain significantly if ISRO and the country’s private space sector can cooperate effectively and synergistically.